good mods?

[Armstrong]

ok i am new to the whole modifying thing and i would like to get into it. i was wondering what are the best mods for adding a few more hp's and are reasonably priced? i'm willing to spend about $500.... so what would be the best bang for 5 hundred bucks? sorry if i sound like a newb, because i am one. thanks in advance guys.

 

[MI-SHOFEAR]

Suspension is really the best thing for a SHO.
But, a MAF, Tweecer, And some TB and Intake mods can help. O, a catback too.

Jeff

 

[Rockledge]

Assuming things like the air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs and wires are relatively new, and assuming that there is no indication that your SHO is in need of any emergency 60K service(s), then IMO first "mod" you ought to do is replace the rod bearings. You can do it yourself for under $100.

Then you should think about replacing the subframe bushings with the firmer Gen III bushings or the even firmer aluminum bushings that several vendors offer for around $100 or so.

Third thing to do is the '96 front brake upgrade.

Depending on what year your SHO is, the above can be done for around $500 or so, a modest cost really for a huge gain in reliability and performance.

 

[Armstrong]

it is gonna be on a 94 ATX.

 

[SHOMurph]

do yourself and your car a favor.

Change your rod bearings if you have over 120-130k.

Then spend the money on tires.

 

[Armstrong]

no engine or intake mods, just mainly maintanence stuff?

 

[Rockledge]

I suppose our point is that your money is best spent right now on the things that have been mentioned. By doing these things, you will indeed feel the difference in performance, so it's not only about us beating the maintenance drum. And, a well-tuned stock SHO is where you want to start from with regard to more substantive mods, in cany case.

 

[MorpheusGPR]

Hey guys I am around 131k now and I would assume the rod bearings have not been done...I am gearing up to do the plug well seals, cleaned the intake out, and plugs, ac delco wires, so how hard is it to do the rod bearings? I would also like to change my tranny fluid, fuel filter (picked one up at autozone), tranny filter, etc.

I have somse alm sfb sitting on the shelf and sfcs on the shelf too.

 

[Armstrong]

are there certain types of bearings for the SHO or would any ford bearing work? where would i go about buying rod bearings?

 

[davidb]

when I bought My 1995 MTX I thought it was fast and ready for mods. What I found out was it really needed the maintanence stuff first. It had some good mods already on it but the car was really beat down. Having never driven a SHO, I thought it was OK Just had it in the Shop. In, fact it has been in the shop for the past three Mondays(my only day off) The car now runs nere a %100. But I still have another Monday to go. Listen to what this forum tells you. I was really supprized by the performance I gained by just the" maintanence stuff"

Dave,
Southren, Maryland

 

[coldsho]

true with all the maintaince stuff, keep up with it, and keep some extra $$$ laying around for the next thing to break, wish i did, but as far as bang for the buck mods, id say a simple K&N filter, panel or cone, i just got my cone, u want a cheap panel let me know, and a front strut tower brace, got an extra one of those too.

K&N 15-60bucks
Strut bar 20-200bucks
save up the rest for the next time it breaks or for a brake upgrade, theats the shos worst area imo.

 

[Rockledge]

are there certain types of bearings for the SHO or would any ford bearing work? where would i go about buying rod bearings?

Consider the Rod Bearing Kit:

http://home.earthlink.net/~rcm_automotive/id16.html

or you can get the Clevites from Napa and the Oil Pan gasket from Autozone.


Here's a writeup on how the rod bearing replacement job is done: http://www.shophoenixproject.com/sfb/sfb.htm

Another reference: http://www.kurtmetros.com/bearings.html

.

 

[SeanMc]

Yeah, the more and more maintenance I do, the more power I seem to have. Weird. lol.

 

[jedhead]

One of the best bang for the buck is subframe connectors. Weld a set on the car will feel like it was machined from a block of steel. First do the maintenance.

Bob

 

[MorpheusGPR]

I printed off the bearing how to as posted above. I would like another to compare with though, that sho phonix page was for the alm bushings, which i have and need to get installed too.

 

[93greenSHO]

true with all the maintaince stuff, keep up with it, and keep some extra $$$ laying around for the next thing to break, wish i did, but as far as bang for the buck mods, id say a simple K&N filter, panel or cone, i just got my cone, u want a cheap panel let me know, and a front strut tower brace, got an extra one of those too.

K&N 15-60bucks
Strut bar 20-200bucks
save up the rest for the next time it breaks or for a brake upgrade, theats the shos worst area imo.

U still have that extra strut brace? If you do I want it. U have no idea how hard it is to find one for a good price! Even on eBay! Or do you???